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Celtic's Dedryck Boyata not scared of Fenerbahce's Robin van Persie, Nani

Dedryck Boyata is not scared of former Manchester United duo Robin van Persie and Nani as Celtic prepare to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.

Both Van Persie and Nani arrived at the Turkish club from United in the summer, but ex-Manchester City defender Boyata is looking forward to coming up against them.

"When I saw the draw with Fenerbahce, Ajax and Molde I was really happy," the 24-year-old told a news conference, covered by STV. "Sometimes you can get the sensation of being scared but I was happy because I knew I'd be playing in big games.

"They have some big names but they are playing for a different team. They are not playing for an English team any more. Thursday will be a completely different situation. I'm with a different team, they are with a different team. I'm sure the atmosphere will be different too."

Boyata is dreaming of representing Belgium at Euro 2016, but first he knows he needs to impress national boss Marc Wilmots.

He won his only full cap for the Red Devils back in October 2010, but was included in the squad for this month's qualifying victories over Bosnia and Cyprus.

Belgium now face two crucial clashes with Andorra and Israel which will decide their Group B fate, and the centre-back believes he can force his way into Wilmots' plans if he produces against the Hoops' Europa League opponents when they visit Glasgow later this week.

"Thursday is a really big game and one I want to play well in so I can make a statement," he said. "Belgium have got the next game in Andorra and if we win, I think we can go through. Then we can look to the last game against Israel to get the first spot.

"My performances in our European matches at Celtic will be really important to me making the international team because the Belgian squad is full of potential players and I don't think it is easy to get into the team.

"In my position, if I have the chance to get in then I want to be able to say to myself that I did everything I could."

He added: "For me coming here, it was about getting a lot of games. I've maybe played more here already than I have in the last three years.

"Now I've got a chance to be in the Belgian squad, which is a plus for me. Now that I'm in the Belgian team my goal will be to stay there. To do that I will need to play well."

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